Section 8 is a common name for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. It is funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is a program that allows private landlords to rent apartments and homes at fair market rates to qualified low-income tenants. This is with a rental subsidy that is administering by Home Forward. A case before the Supreme Court this week could have a huge big impact on affordable housing in our city for tenants who rely on subsidized housing vouchers and landlords.
Section 8 Voucher
In 2015, an ordinance was passing by Pittsburgh City County. It forbid landlords in the city from discriminating against tenants based on their “source of income,” such as a Housing Choice Voucher. It is commonly referring to as a Section 8 voucher. The Apartment Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh has filed suit and the law moreover has never been enforcing. This shorty after the ordinance was passing.
On the private rental market, vouchers allow low-income tenants to rent a house or an apartment. Typically, a tenant approximately plays one-third of their income toward the rent. Moreover, the government subsidy makes up the rest. Landlords aren’t so thrilled about accepting vouchers. They say they don’t want to deal with the bureaucracy that comes with them as well as the home inspections. In fact, those who do take them are more than often are in lower-income areas. It is concentrated in areas of poverty and there is a clear lack of opportunity for residents.
Livable, Affordable City for all Residents
“The goal is to strive toward making Pittsburgh a livable and affordable city for all residents,” city attorneys wrote in a legal filing. “Affordable housing for all Pittsburgh families. It is one of the city’s aims and thus part of the local governance agenda. Moreover, the city of Pittsburgh has made this determination. It is one of the top ways in which housing can provide to low-income tenants in the city through housing subsidies. It is most renowned for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.”
